Sadowsky RV5 Metro

Made: 2006 in Tokyo, Japan
The Metro Modern Series R5-24 is 34 scale 5 string bass that sports a 24-fret Morado fretboard on a maple neck, a alder body and two Sadowsky soapbar pickups. It features Sadowsky???s boost-only bass & treble 2-band EQ preamp with active/passive switch (push pull bass control), volume and balance controls.
Hipshot tuners and a custom hipshot bridge made exclusively for Roger Sadowsky.It comes with a semi hard case.
The R signifies Rosewood neck / alder body, it also comes in a M5 version, the M signifies Maple neck / ash body.

Killer sound, you can go from a nice funky slap tone to Jaco finger style tone without touching a knob. The electronics are completely quiet and very versatile, I have yet to find a style of music that I couldn???t cover with this bass. I play Gospel, Jazz, Funk and R&B in the various group I play with and I never have to think about will it do the job.

The finish is excellent, neck and fret work are the best I've evr played and I'played just about everything. I never thought I'd fall uder the Sadowsky spell but this bass made me a beliver. It has great balance and curves the and the right weight.All the hardware is top notch and the ??" string spacing has plenty of room for slapping and digging in.

I expesct this bass to last a long time, all the materials are great. No skimping anywhere.

Roger Sadowsky stands behind his instruments and even quizs you about your experience with the dealer you purchased it from.

I've been playing for over 10 years, I own several high end basses, but buy far this is the best playing and sounding bass I own.

RV-5 Metro. Alder Body, Maple neck with Rosewood (Morado) Fingerboard (Made in Japan).
21 frets
Olympic White w/tortoise shell guard
Sadowsky On-board Preamp w/optional Vintage Tone Control(VTC)
Sadowsky humcancelling J/J pickups

It's hard to describe the sound of this bass without copying what's already been said on so many websites. The best thing I can think of is that it's the perfect evolution of of the classic Fender sound. If it were an artist's pallete, it would have every color available. It has a wonderful J bass growl that is never more or less that what you'd want for whatever style you're playing. The lows are thick, but not muddy at all, and the highs are sweet as honey, clear as a bell. Everything in between fits perfectly.
I've used it live and in the studio, with everything from a Countryman DI, to and Aguilar DB680, to An Avalon U5, and it sounds incredible every time. My favorite setup is with the U5 bypassing the preset tone banks. It really sits in the mix perfectly, fills up all the right spots, but never steps out of line, if you know what I mean.

The bass arrived in flawless condition, ready to go right out of the case with no tweaking at all. Over time I've lowered the action just a bit since I no longer have to dig in as much to be heard with this bass. It really is a work of art! I've always been a big fan of the Olympic White/Totoise shell look, and this one looks like a classic, like something someone left in a case under the bed for the past 30 years, a perfect blend of old and new.

I've had no issues whatsoever with this bass in nearly 1 1/2 years. It's extremely sturdy and reliable. I've used it in all sorts of circumstances, and have never had a single problem.

Sadowsky's customer service is legendary, and I personally can attest to that. Most times Roger himself picks up the phone, but whoever answers is always very knowledgeable and personable.

Rock solid axe, extremely versatile, tone to die for, beautiful in appearance, feels great on too. I would not hesitate to recommend a Metro to anyone. I've played and owned many different basses and I don't think I would ever get rid of this one, ever. It truly is the next generation of Fender's classic sound that millions have come to accept as THE sound for bass guitar.

I got my RV5 (Rosewood/Alder)a week ago, I normally play a USA Lakland 55-94. Of course Both instruments are top notch in materials and craftsmanship,as they should be in this price range!

First thing I noticed was the round bottom end produced by the Sadowsky. This is a different from the Lakland ,as it produces a more low mid thing. Mind you this is not a bad thing ,just different. The low B is nice and full.

My only gripe with the RV5 is that even with the treble off and Rosewood fingerboard ,it's still plenty bright!Way brighter than my Lakland set flat.
Now I know why Roger is putting the Vintage Tone Control on his NYC basses. I owned one of the early Tokyo (pre- Metro)
basses, and noticed the Tokyo preamp had treble boost AND CUT, and bass boost only. You could dial down the brightness. Well the Metro only has boost only treble/bass. I just ordered the VTC to install ($80.00 for a couple of pots?) I feel he should include this on ALL his basses, I mean you buy a bass like this so you can get ALL the tonal possibilities - Bright and Dark. Unfortunately Dark is not available with the standard pre amp.
Other than that gripe, it's a great bass. Fretwork,Finish 10. Mine is very light too,about 8.5 lbs ,which I think is in NYC territory.Yeah it is expensive, and if I couldn't write it off I'd balk at spending 2G's.

Roger and crew are always there

Alder body, maple neck, rosewood board, 5 strings, classic sunburst with tortoise guard

Master volume, blend, bass boost, treble boost. Split coil hum cancelling jazz style pickups.

Comes with a nice zippered hard/soft case and allen wrenches along with warranty.

A vintage tone control can be added for a premium. I am subtracting one points here because just the hardware is a $75 up charge for a handful of $10 components and instructions. To actually have it installed is $150 (labor and parts).

I also subtract a point for a battery that has to be replaced by removing and replacing wood screws.

The sound is awesome. I am using DA Prosteels and get a very punchy bright modern sound with a vintage vibe (I sould like a salesman). I have received numerous compliments on the sound of this thing. I play it finger style in classic rock and contemporary Christian.

The Sadowsky electronics pass it all which many would call bright sounding. I like the warmth of the alder and rosewood combined with the modern electronics. I struggled trying to decide between ash/maple and alder/rosewood. I could not A/B them before buying. Jumped for the alder/rosewood and I am glad I did. I would not want a brighter sounding instrument.

The B string is good espicially for 34" scale. I like the B string better on a Q5 but 35" graphite is not a fair comparison. The B string is very usable on the RV5. I understand the ash/maple may have a better B, but I would not trade the low mid alder punch for it.

A range of sounds can be had with the blend pot. An emphasized bridge pup with a bit of active bass boost is very punchy and articulate without sounding thin. A soloed neck pup is nice and deep. Both pups full on is the classic jazz sound with a little something extra. I almost always play active with a touch of bass boost while leaving the treble boost at 0.

Great fret work. Low action. I immediately connected with this instrument. I had a Modulus Q5 that this bass replaced. I just never felt at home on the 35" scale Q5 neck. The RV5 neck is comfy for me which pulls stuff out of me that the Q5 did not. I liked my Q5 but it never felt at home like the RV5 does. I also had a G&L L-2500 which has narrow string spacing. It never bothered me as I am not much of a slap player. I did not find the move over to 3/4" spacing to be much of a big deal. At this point I think I prefer the 3/4" spacing because switching back to a four is more natural.

No problems.

I have emailed Sadowsky with a couple of questions. Received responses within 24 hours. The responses were signed by Roger himself (was it really him?).

I presently own a 1961 Fender Jazz, a G&L Climax and the RV5. I sold a G&L L-2500 and a Modulus Q5 to finance the rather expensive RV5.

I just picked up the G&L Climax 4 string to work on my slap or lack there of. I was starting to think I had too much money wrapped up in the RV5 and maybe I should sell it and get another G&L 5 string and pay off some bills. Then I picked it up and starting playing. I know remember why I paid what I did for it. Nothing magical at first, but day by day it's a precision instrument that becomes an extension of the hands. The looks, feel, and sound are top notch. It is the 5 string jazz I have been looking for to compliment my 61. But in the modern neighborhood. With the addition of the vintage tone control and some flatwounds, I bet you could get a killer vintage tone.

Purchased new October 2004. Maple neck, morado fingerboard (similar to rosewood)2 pc natural finish alder body. Esentially a 5 string Fender Jazz bass made the way it should be. (Fender can't figure out how to do this for some reason). I think the string spacing is perfect, pretty much the same as a 4 string Jazz bass ( I find that Fender 5 strings have very narrow spacing) Exellent, dead quiet Sadowsky hum cancelling single coils. Very nice, solid Hip Shot bridge and tuners. Bass came with very high quality ultralite case. The only thing it's missing is strap locks, but I can easily install them myself.

You CAN"T make this bass hum no matter what you do with the pickup selection knob, not the case with the usual single coil pickups. The electronics are voiced perfectly and sound natural, they are boost only bass and treble. I also added the vintage tone control which does a good job of approximating a vintage 60's Jazz bass by rolling off the treble response. You can get many different sounds out of this thing with minor adjustments to the tone and pickup pan selector knob. I usually play it through a Mesa Walkabout scout combo or use the Walkabout with a Epifani 2x12 cabinet.

Bass was a bit high on the action when I picked it up from Roger's shop in Brooklyn, NY, but one of the staffer's there fixed it up for me while I waited. The construction on this bass is near perfect, no flaws in the finsh at all. The nitrocellulose finish on the neck is beyond description, smooth but not too slick and it sort of breaks in with use. Intonation is right on, you can play chords all over the neck. This guy knows how to make a bass, not flashy or gimmicky, just a really great tool for making music.

I haven't owned this bass long enough to give an opinion on this category, but I have a feeling it will hold up very well. I live right near the ocean, and most of my other basses need neck adjustments every few weeks. The Sadowsky has not needed any tweaking since I got it about 4 months ago.

Roger and his staff are extremely helpful and friendly. There's a reason why lot's of pros use Roger's basses and guitars. Not only do they make a great product, they stand behind it.

I've been playing bass for over 30 years, I own a Fodera 5 string and a NS EUB. If this bass were stolen, I'd go right out and get another one. What I love about this bass is it's utter predictability, it deliver's great sound, even with less that perfect amps and speakers.
It feels like a good vintage Fender would exept with 5 strings. For the price, there is no equal.

This was the namm show demo #3 of 10 and had a couple of dings, otherwise flawless. Fretwork was immaculate. It's a 21 fret Jazz bass morado fingerboard. Neck joint is perfect, NO GAP in the fit to body. I ordered with the optional vintage tone control (150$) Body is Alder with a corsica blue sparkle finish with a pearl pickguard. It is fairly light for a 5 string and comes in at 9.3lbs. . Came with Hipshot tuners, Should have had straplock system , I added the Schaller. The neck is a 34" scale .

The ultimite in rich-full sound , the 34" B string sounds as tight as any 35" B bass I've owned including Tobias, Warwick. This bass is just full of great usable tone, I find myself doing very little tweaking to go from fingerstyle to slap, and everytime I've played it I've had other bass players come up to ask about it. It is the first bass I've owned that provides fat bottom with deffinition all the way through the scale, no dead spots, just solid tone. It may not be the ultimite solo bass (MTD, Fodora) but It will fill a mix far better then any bass I've ever played. I play blues, gospel R & B and some Jazz and it excells in every situation. I can play chords up high on the neck, a fast Rocco passage and slap without touching a knob. I play thru an Avalon U5 into an Eden traveler into a 4X 10 Eden cab but I've played some other rigs at Jam sessions ( some not so special) and it still sounds special!

Thie Metro arrived ready to gig except for staplocks, which I installed. Electronics where flawless, Fit anf Finish were perfect.

It's a Jazz on steroids, I guess a few of them have been arround for awhile. I have not done a neck adjustment in the 5 mounths I've owned. It is much less tempremental the my Peulla Buzz ( a fine bass) . The only use I could see for a backup would be string breakage not a common problem for me

The customer support was excellent Roger answered the phone and described the bass to me perfectly. No warrenty or repair problems, and don't anticipate any .

I've been playing ove 20 years and have owned nummerous high end basses, including Alembic, Kubicki Factor, Warwick. and Tobias. I've never had a bass that does it all as well as this one. If it was stolen I would replace after I wasted the guy who took it ( just kidding) with the same model. I hope to by a four string as a backup if I start getting back into some serious gigs. It will be another metro.